First Nations granted role on LNG committee

According to multiple sources, the Canadian federal government has announced that two B.C. First Nations have agreed to be members of a new environmental monitoring committee for the proposed CAN$11.4-billion Pacific NorthWest LNG project.

The government says the agreement will include the Lax Kw'alaams Band and the Metlakatla First Nation, aboriginal groups whose members have been split on support for the proposed export terminal near Prince Rupert on British Columbia's northern coast.

The project would place a LNG facility and export terminal on Lelu Island at the mouth of the Skeena River.

Environment Minister Catherine McKenna announced in September the government would approve the project subject to 190 conditions, including a cap on carbon emissions.

At least three legal challenges by First Nations have been launched to try to derail the project.

Petronas said in October that it was reviewing the development and its conditions before moving forward.

The two First Nations will work directly with provincial and federal authorities as part of a committee to ensure the project is developed in the most environmentally sustainable way possible.